Easy Luxury in an Australian Paradise

View from a Qualia deck. (All photos: Qualia)

Hotel: Qualia

Location: Hamilton Island, Queensland, Australia

Background: To understand Qualia, you have to understand Hamilton Island. Hamilton, in the Whitsundays, is a privately owned island near the Great Barrier Reef with several resorts, beaches, a yacht club, a nearby golf course, a handful of restaurants, stores, a small zoo, and more. Qualia is one of two private, guests-only, gated resorts on the island. It has been voted the best resort in the world.

The Vibe: Relaxed luxury that brings the outdoors in.

When to go: April through June, you’re likely to get the best weather. October through December is also lovely. The rainy season starts in January and stretches through March, though according to the staff, it’s often that kind of rain that comes and goes.

Getting there: Most flights are out of Cairns, Brisbane and Sydney on airlines like JetStar and Virgin Australia. (Do yourself a favor and fly Virgin if you can. Though it’s a bit more expensive, I’ve flown both and the difference in service is so worth it.) Qualia will provide transportation to and from the airport at no extra cost.

Bedroom of a Windward Pavilion 

The Rooms: There are essentially two kinds of accommodations (starting at about $830 a night in low season, $995 in high — depending on exchange rate), both villas and both with Coral Sea views: Leeward Pavilions, which have private decks, and Windward Pavilions, with private plunge pools. There is also the Beach House, which has one bedroom, a private infinity pool, a kitchenette, and dining space for 10. Oprah Winfrey stayed in the Beach House when she took her viewers to the area.

What you can eat: Breakfast is included (you can have it in your room at no extra charge), and Qualia itself has two restaurants — the Long Pavilion and Pebble Beach. Long Pavilion is the fancier of the two, offering six-, eight-, and 10-course tasting menus with wine pairings. Pebble Beach is more casual (with a spectacular water-front view). Try the hot seafood platter. There are also restaurants on Hamilton Island outside the resort that are wildly popular, like Coca Chu and Romano’s.

Koala from Wild Life Hamilton Island

What to do around there: Much of the appeal of the Whitsundays are the white sand beaches, shockingly blue waters, and the proximity to the Great Barrier Reef. The concierge can help arrange trips (at an additional charge) to snorkel or dive the reef, or to hang out on the islands’ famous white-sand beaches. There’s also Wild Life Hamilton Island, a wildlife park — or at least that's what they say it is. While it’s kind of awesome to cuddle a koala (Queensland is one of only two states where it’s allowed), it’s also kind of upsetting. You do it for two seconds in the café area, and the rest of the “park” is just a small maze of sad animals in tiny enclosures. Just be prepared that may give you a crisis of conscience.

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Qualia lobby

What I loved: Where to begin? Why not with the lobby. Walking into the open-air main reception area, you are hit with a view that will literally take your breath away. This is where guests sit upon arrival to have a complimentary drink and chat with a staff member about the layout of the property and what to expect. And the people who work at Qualia are just as amazing as the scenery — without exception I found them to be some of the most pleasant and most helpful people I’ve encountered at a resort. Qualia prides itself on providing “intuitive” service, and that’s how it feels — this is part of what takes it to the next level and makes it a contender for Best Resort in the World. Your every need is effortlessly and pleasantly met. You even get little presents at turndown service. Another fun amenity is that you get your own golf cart to drive around the property as you please — there’s even a handy map on the steering wheel. (Just remember to drive on the left side of the road!)

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The spa 

Don’t miss: The spa. It’s designed to bring the outside in and to be uber relaxing, of course. Try the Li’tya Kodo massage. It’s inspired by Aboriginal techniques and rituals and incorporates aromatherapy. The masseuses are as wonderful as the rest of the staff. And be sure to snag some Aesop products on the way out. There are travel size shampoos, conditioners, soaps and lotions in the villas, but they’re so delicious you’ll want to take some home with you.

What I didn’t love: I found the whole “private island populated only with resorts” thing a little odd. But Qualia is absolutely a retreat within Hamilton Island, so if you want to avoid all that, you can.

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